The Convoy has been presented as a broad initiative to strengthen solidarity with the Ukrainian people’s resistance. The International Socialist League (ISL) is an active participant, reaffirming the internationalist policy it has upheld since the beginning of the Russian imperialist invasion. The task of building a great Convoy together now begins.
By Rubén Tzanoff
The first step has been taken
The International Solidarity Convoy to Ukraine has been launched. This initiative by the European Network of Solidarity with Ukraine (ENSU) originated in the Network of Catalonia and has since spread to various countries in Europe and some in Latin America, such as Argentina and Brazil. Activists from labor unions, social movements, and political parties in various countries, including Ukraine, participated in the online presentation.
A broad and unitarian project
The convoy will travel through various cities and capitals of the European Union before entering Ukrainian territory to reach Kyiv. The routes are still being determined, but tentatively they will be as follows: the Southern Route will depart from Barcelona and pass through France (Perpignan, Lyon), Switzerland (Geneva), Germany, and Poland; the Central Route will depart from the United Kingdom (London), passing through Belgium (Brussels), Germany, and Poland; the Northern Route will depart from Norway, passing through Sweden and Poland.
Along the journey, there will be events, meetings and rallies featuring the united participation of solidarity committees and political forces committed to supporting the Ukrainian people.
Coordinating solidarity from the grassroots
The Convoy aims to organize a grassroots-led and coordinated international effort. Its cargo will consist of medical supplies, electric generators, vehicles, and other necessary materials that can be purchased or received as donations.
Beyond transporting logistical and humanitarian aid, the Convoy aims to become a visible political action that strengthens international solidarity from the grassroots up, coordinating initiatives—many of which already have their own momentum—and promoting broader participation by grassroots organizations from different countries.
Political Objectives
The initiative is based on the observation that the Ukrainian people will face another winter under extremely difficult conditions, marked by the destruction of energy, water and transportation infrastructure; the bombing of schools, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods; repression in the occupied territories; and the serious human rights violations committed during the invasion.
In light of this situation, we must take a step further than material and humanitarian aid. For this reason, the Convoy pursues several political objectives:
* Reaffirm that the Ukrainian people are not alone and strengthen international solidarity with their resistance.
* Highlight the role of the Ukrainian working class and its labor unions as a fundamental part of the resistance against the invasion.
* Promote broader international coordination among unions, social movements, and progressive organizations.
* Rekindle and strengthen the spirit of international solidarity against war and the rise of the far right, authoritarianism, and fascism.
* Raise awareness among new segments of society seeking that they actively join the campaigns in support of Ukraine.
A Call for Solidarity
The Convoy calls on unions at all levels, feminist organizations, environmental groups, LGBTIQ+ organizations, humanitarian groups, social movements, left-wing forces, progressives, and anti-fascist collectives to join the mission to Kyiv.
It also calls for expanding and better coordinating the international solidarity network, providing material resources, and making the Convoy a visible expression of civil society’s commitment to the Ukrainian struggle.
An identity of its own
Since the start of the war, numerous convoys have been organized to Ukraine, driven by a spirit of courage and solidarity. This convoy builds on and adds to those experiences by bringing its own distinct characteristics: it is internationalist, humanitarian, but also political; it is based on solidarity among workers and other popular sectors, and it distances itself from campist positions.
Its structure is reminiscent, in many ways, of the Global Sumud Flotilla: an independent, civilian coalition that, based on a fundamental common goal, is open to the participation of people with different perspectives in order to strengthen international solidarity.
The ISL joins the Convoy
Comrades of the International Socialist League (ISL), will actively participate by joining the Convoy and promoting its development in each country. We will do so by continuing the concrete practice of internationalism that we have implemented in recent years through solidarity missions to the Sahrawi camps in Tindouf, to Nicaragua in defense of democratic rights, to Iraq in support of the Palestinian cause, and to Lebanon, in support of the young comrades who are confronting the occupation and Zionist normalization.
With regard to Ukraine, we will continue to follow the roadmap we established from the very first day of the Russian imperialist invasion, in support of the Ukrainian people and our comrades in the Ukrainian Socialist League (USL). On the way, we have lost dear comrades on the front lines; we have also launched campaigns and international actions, including trips to Kyiv and other unitarian initiatives like the coordinated ENSU intervention at the Porto Alegre Anti-Fascist Forum, in which Argentina’s MST and Brazil’s Revolución Socialista participated.
We have maintained the same fundamental politics: for the victory of the resistance and the defeat of the Russian imperialist invasion, recognizing Ukraine’s right to defend itself with all military means at its disposal.
For a just peace, without Trump-Putin deals made behind the backs of the Ukrainian people. Nor any impositions by Western imperialism—the U.S., the EU, and NATO—with their policies of expansionism, oppression, and plunder in Eastern Europe. Defending a position of political independence from the Zelensky government, and Ukraininan oligarchs and far-right elements.
For the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, with the prospect of a just peace and a democratic society based on the right to self-determination for all peoples in Ukraine.
You may also be interested in: “Document on Ukraine.”
Now, let’s get to work
A journey of three thousand kilometers begins with a single step. That step has already been taken: the Convoy has been presented, and its website and social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook have been launched as tools for keeping updated, collaborating, contributing resources, and signing up to volunteer.
The task is now to strengthen a process that is already underway. This means planning activities, providing political and material support, and recruiting volunteers for the many tasks this initiative requires.
We must organize joint actions in every country that the convoy passes through, as well as in every other city where it is possible to do so. And, of course, in every part of the world where there is support for the just cause of the Ukrainian people.
The first event will take place on August 19, World Humanitarian Day, established by the UN to recognize the work of those who provide aid in crisis situations and to honor humanitarian workers who have lost their lives. On that day, activities will be held in various countries to raise awareness about the Convoy and foster international solidarity.
Let’s get to work to make the International Solidarity Convoy to Ukraine a cause shared by thousands of activists, organizations, and workers around the world.
